Fremantle defender Alex Pearce said his body was ‘feeling good’ after a promising return to the top level against Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
A welcome addition to a young Fremantle backline, Pearce finished with 16 disposals, seven marks, seven intercepts and three rebound 50s.
Pearce also played 93 per cent game time for the match.
The 26-year-old played a pivotal role in defence, keeping dangerous Gold Coast tall Ben King goalless and to just seven disposals.
“It’s very nice to be back, I was a bit nervous actually before the game but once I got out there and into the swing of things it was good,” Pearce said.
“My body actually felt really good and I didn’t get too tired out there…I just had a bit of cramp towards the end.
“I was pretty happy with how I went and I got some good support from ‘Lukey’ (Ryan) and the boys.
“(Ben King) is a pretty good mover for a big bloke so I just tried to be really physical with him and not let him get out the back.
“I think as a back seven we worked really well today.”
After missing the entire 2020 season, and sustaining another injury upon return in round one against Melbourne this year, senior coach Justin Longmuir said he was ‘really proud’ to have Pearce back in the side.
“He has probably been in some dark spaces with his injuries, but he never really shows it around the Club,” Longmuir said.
“He is always upbeat, and still doing as much as he can off the field to lead us and get himself right.
“He has never given up hope, he had a bit of a mishap in his first game back against Peel, then had two really solid games.
“He is a professional with his body and the way he looks after himself.
Longmuir said he was impressed with how well Pearce slotted back into Freo’s defensive line.
“I was expecting a little bit of rustiness to be honest today, given it’s his first AFL game as a full back in a long time but he hit the ground running,” Longmuir said.
“Some of the contests he won, the physical pressure he put on (Ben) King. I thought he was a real rock down there for us.
“It’s just a real by-product of the work he has put in. I am really proud of him.”
